FR2623771A1 - Alarm and automatic projection device for a life-saving system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a projection apparatus for a life-saving system, which comprises both a detection means and a projection means, these modules being separable. The detection module can operate in the pure alarm state and the projection module can operate by an intentional action or automatically. It constitutes a rapid means for rescuing the person fallen into the sea.

Description

 The present invention relates to an apparatus for projecting a rescue assembly. We know of conventional life-saving appliances that must be thrown manually overboard or dropped along the edge.

 Although they are simple and reliable in design, these devices are maneuvered at arm's length, which leads to significant drawbacks: the fact that the person who must perform the jet of this device must travel a significant distance and then release the securing system, handle and discard this machine In addition, they are not applicable in the case of a single-handed boat. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks and is an apparatus for projecting rescue equipment with almost instantaneous or automatic manual action without requiring human presence.

 The technique of electronic components has served the evolution of many fields, among others in the miniaturization of VHF / UEF radio frequency assemblies. These techniques make it possible to obtain assemblies of small volume, of negligible weight and of low electrical consumption which makes them more apt to be worn permanently.

 The invention further develops the concern of safeguarding the personnel making it possible both to trigger the alert, to provide assistance, to facilitate location and to enable active survival.

 The apparatus according to the invention comprises a detection module and a projection module which can be separated at will; the detection module can be used for a pure alarm function; the projection module can be used manually. In any case, the organization of the whole of one or both modules is provided so that its overall dimensions are compatible with small boat or boat sizes. In addition, certain elements can advantageously be provided as an extension of these modules without affecting their operation.

 The invention relates more particularly but not exclusively to pleasure boating, cruising races and professional fishing.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description made with reference to the appended drawings in which
- Figure 1 shows schematically the detection module;
- Figure 2 shows the projection module;
- Figure 3 explains the installation on board a vessel;
- Figure 4 shows the half section of the projection module;
- Figure 5 shows schematically the percussion mechanism and the gas cartridge;
- Figure 6 shows the rescue set once deployed;
- Figure 7 shows the half section of the shearing system;
- Figure 8 schematically shows the automatic power cut system included in the bottom of the transmitter of the detection module;
- Figure 9 shows schematically the trajectory as a function of the drop point;
- Figure 10 schematically shows the structure of the projectile gasket.

In the embodiment shown, an apparatus according to the invention comprises two modules which can be separated at will:
- A projection module (2) comprising a barrel or body (21), a rear cover (22), a support assembly (24) intended for fixing, a diaphragm (23) intended to preserve the interior of the tube (21 ) bad weather. This projection module (2) is provided with a supply wire (20J allowing remote electrical control. It can also be provided with a manual trigger (25) in the case where the boat does not have an electrical circuit.

This trigger (25) can be extended by a cable or a cord accessible at the helm station.

 - A detection module (1) composed of a transmitter (12) of small size which is permanently portable and does not have an external antenna, a receiver (11) of medium size, powered by the power cable ( 10) connected to the onboard battery. This receiver (11) does not have an antenna external to the box.

 The wall support (13) fixed at any point on the boat makes it possible to automatically cut the transmitter (12) as it is slid into said support (13). It also deactivates the receiver (11).

 The organization of the present invention (fig.3) shows the installation of the projection module in the rear part of the building with an elevation angle depending on the height of the building relative to the water. The projection module (2J can also be integrated inside the boat. The receiver (11) of the detection module (1) should preferably be installed in the middle of the boat so that there is no radio silence zone.

The transmitter (12) of the detection module (1) is carried by the person who can move indifferently to any point on the boat.

The detection module (1) operates in the VHF / frequency band
UHF is between 150 and 800 MHZ.

 The transmitter produces an amplitude modulated wave according to a code which is repeated several times this for a transmission time of less than one second. The recycling of this emission can be adapted to the alert delay required by the function for which the detection module will be intended, i.e. on a slow boat and for the sake of economy this recycling will be kept at around 20 seconds. It can be reduced to a few seconds in the case of fast boats. The power of the transmitter is of the order of a few miliwatts; in addition the use of this frequency band makes it possible to limit the range of the transmitter while maintaining a homogeneous radiated field density, that is to say without a zone of silence even in the presence of disturbing metallic elements or fields radioelectric due to the on-board radio-communication system.

 The receiver of the detection module operates on the principle of relaxation, that is to say it identifies the transmission cycles sequentially against an internal time base provided that these are recognized correctly and error-free . The receiver (11) a ignores a signal having a code number different from that of its internal programming.

 Consequently a failure of the transmitter (12) will be considered as an alarm, a loss of range or a fall into the sea. In the event of immersion the propagation of these frequencies in water being impossible, the receiver will assimilate that to a fault: when the receiver does not receive the signal in the interval of its time base it generates an audible alarm so that if an anomaly in the operation of the equipment appears, and the staff is fully present, the following of the process can be interrupted. If this process is not interrupted, it enters its final phase after a certain time. This final phase has the effect of controlling the activation of the projection module.

 I1 is provided in the transmitter a backup battery allowing by manual action on a push button to trigger a transmission allowing to interrupt the process as of the alarm. This allows you to control the process while you deactivate the system. It can also be installed, inside the boat, push buttons fulfilling the same function but those directly controlling the receiver.

 The projection module is composed of a tube made of stainless material (21) closed in its rear part by a cover (22) and in its front part by a diaphragm (23): the rear cover (22) carrying the percussion mechanism (42), the compressed gas cartridge (41) and the female part (71) of the shearing device. I1 also makes it possible to seal the electrical and mechanical connection bushings. The seal between the cover (22) and the tube (21) is ensured by means of a flat seal (43).

The percussion device (42) and the gas cartridge (41) are contained in the space between the rear cover (22) and the projectile (44): this volume being called expansion chamber (47).

 When the percussion device (42) actuated electrically or manually punctures the seal (51) of the gas cartridge (41) this high pressure gas increases the pressure in the expansion chamber. When the pressure exerts on the projectile (44) a force greater than the breaking limit of the part to be broken (73) the projectile (44) is released.

 In the first part of its travel, this projectile repels the volume of compression air (48) which has the effect of driving out the diaphragm (23). The seal (49) seals between the projectile (44) and the tube (21). This seal is composed of two parts: one (110) serving as sliding and centering, as well as supporting the other part (111) this serving as scraper and sealing: the clearance of 111 being limited by a disc (1121.

 The fixing of the rear cover (22) on the tube (21) is ensured by eight bolts of adequate section opposite (like the dimensioning of the other components) to the standards in force on the tanks which can contain gases under pressure.

 The projectile (44) is composed of 2 flanges (45A and 45B) connected by a tube (45) hollowed out laterally: the tube contains the rescue equipment.

 The flange (45A) carries the seal (49) and the male part (72) of the shearing device (46). The flange (45B) is provided with a curved face made of soft elastomer (45C) allowing the impact force of the projectile (44) to be damped in the event that it hits a hard object.

The ejected projectile (44) falls into the water and sinks. The water entering the automatic salt striker (62) inflates the vest -61) which rises (by means of the cartridge (63je. Given its buoyancy the vest rises rapidly to the surface; the flashing optical beacon (64) provided with 'a salt reaction battery starts to emit its light signal.It is connected to the vest (61) by the intermediary of a rope.The projectile (45) connected to the vest (61) makes it possible to limit the drift in the way a floating anchor in case the vest (61) is lifted by a gust of wind. A radio beacon or radio communication transmitter -65) waterproof is also subject to the vest -61)
This radio-beacon will allow the identification by radioelectric means where the radio-communication transmitter will allow the man overboard, if he is still conscious, to participate actively in the guidance of the vessel which will have turned around warned by the alarm.

 In the case where the man overboard is unconscious, the rescue equipment will facilitate its location, the drift of the shipwreck being practically similar to this one.

 From a fall into the sea (TOJ on a building at constant average speed (Vj the reaction time (TAJ of the device allows the trajectory (TJ) to compensate for the distance traveled by the building from TO. The difference in distance (DD) is a function of the aerodynamic parameters of the moment, namely wind speed and direction.

 The detection time (TD) of the system is to be adjusted to half the time space which characterizes the building (speed + range of the device).

 The signal coverage area of the transmitter can be estimated at one and a half times the length of the building so as to allow the fastest possible detection time (TD).

 The device also makes it possible to control any system not explained in this document: example: SARTAT beacon, magnetic recorder, video, etc.

Claims (8)

 1) apparatus for projecting a rescue unit, characterized in that it comprises both a detection means (or detection module) and a projection means (or projection module), these modules being separable, the detection module being able to function in the state of pure alarm, the projection module being able to function on voluntary or automatic action, and in that it constitutes a fast means to bring rescue to man fallen in the sea.  2) Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the ejection module comprises a compressed gas cannon provided by a cartridge of C02 or a high pressure compressed air bottle intended to eject a projectile which projectile contains the rescue, tracking and communication equipment.  3) Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the assembly consisting of the percussion mechanism, the cartridge or gas tank, and the projectile is contained in the barrel body and is therefore not exposed to the weather.  4) Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the projectile contains a charge composed of a life jacket with automatic saline percussion, a flashing optical beacon, a radio beacon and / or a waterproof radio-communication transmitter and in that the rescue, tracking and communication equipment remains connected to the ejection support which then serves to limit the drift of the vest assembly once inflated.  5) Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the difference in distance between the point of fall of the person and the triggering of the device is partially or fully compensated by the effective range of the barrel.  6J Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the detection module is composed of two distinct parts, namely: a transmitter and a receiver working in the VHF / UHF band (100 MHZ to 800 MHZ, the transmitter does not emit continuously which increases the life of the battery or accumulator and is coded in an almost inviolable manner, the receiver of the detection module operates on the principle of release, that is to say that in the absence of a transmission train after a certain time, it triggers an alarm and / or an action after another delay.  7) Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the man overboard even temporarily unconscious trigger ra alarm and the projection of the rescue device that will focus research and in c that the projection device of a rescue unit can in its active phase trigger any means of communication or localization already existing on board the boats. (application on racing or cruising sailboats).  8) Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 6 characterized in that the application of the detention module can extend to the protection of property by triggering existing alarm or control systems.  9) Apparatus according to any one ies claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the transmitter of the detection module does not have an antenna outside the housing.